By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Pawpaw stew, also known as papaya stew, is a delicious and flavourful dish that can be prepared with a combination of ingredients. Here’s a basic recipe for making pawpaw stew:
Ingredients
- 2 cups ripe pawpaw (papaya), peeled, seeded, and dice
- 1 onion, chopped
iii. 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 2 tomatoes, diced
- 1 cup vegetable broth
vii. 1 tablespoon tomato paste
viii. 1 teaspoon curry powder
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
xii. Salt and pepper to taste
xiii. Fresh cilantro or parsley for garnish
xiv. Cooking oil
Instructions
- Heat some cooking oil in a large pan or pot over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pan and sauté until the onion becomes translucent and slightly golden.
- Add the diced bell pepper to the pan and cook for a few more minutes until it begins to soften.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, curry powder, turmeric powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine all the ingredients.
- Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook for about five minutes to allow the flavours melt together.
- Add the diced pawpaw (papaya) to the stew and stir gently to incorporate it into the mixture.
- Reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Allow the stew to simmer for approximately 15-20 minutes, or until the pawpaw is tender, but not mushy.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed, adding more salt, pepper, or spices according to your preference.
- Once the stew is cooked to your desired consistency, remove it from the heat.
- Serve the pawpaw stew hot, garnished with fresh cilantro or parsley.
Pawpaw stew pairs well with rice, quinoa, or crusty bread. Feel free to customise the recipe by adding additional vegetables, such as carrots or spinach, or incorporating your choice of protein, like tofu or cooked chicken, to make it a more substantial meal. Enjoy!
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